Beat

In just a few hours, the globe’s most important sporting event will be underway.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup begins on Thursday when the host nation Brazil will take on European upstarts Croatia at Sao Paulo’s Arena Corinthians at 1:00 p.m. PT. For a month, the world’s eyes will be focused on Brazil as 32 nations compete for the honor of hoisting the trophy aloft at the final at the iconic Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on July 13.

Throughout the tournament, we’ll be providing analysis and daily coverage of the tournament from Los Angeles and in Brazil on LAGalaxy.com/WorldCup. I’ll be covering the tournament locally from Southern California while LAGalaxy.com digital’s Chris Thomas will be on location in Brazil.

Ahead of the tournament, I decided to give the readers of LA Galaxy Insider a look of how I believe that the tournament will turn out. Earlier in the season, I stated that Germany was my favorite to take the title in Brazil. While I later bandied the idea of the host nation lifting the trophy at the Marcanana in mid-July, however, I’ve finally decided who I’m going with and the answer just may surprise you.

Uruguay.

That’s right, the famed deliverers of the Maracanazo, who now boast a team brimming with the attacking talent of Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani and even Diego Forlan. I believe that not only with the South American national triumph in their Group of death alongside Italy, England and Costa Rica, but they will also march to the title by defeating the likes of Spain and Argentina before knocking off Brazil in the final.

Jonny Mendoza and Alex Dixon scored first half goals for Rochester off defensive errors by Galaxy II before Rafael Garcia tallied the lone strike for Los Dos late in the second half.

"It’s one of those games where we played a very good team: very organized and didn’t really give much defensively, and they found guys to get around the ball and went forward," Rafael Garcia told LAGalaxy.com. "Long story short, we gave up two goals and battled the whole second half. It didn’t go our way but the effort was outstanding. But at the end of the day, we have to be sharper in front of them."

Galaxy II return to action when they face off against Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium on Saturday, June 14 at 4:30 p.m. PT. The match against the Battery will be the beginning of a three game road swing for Los Dos.

“Well, this will come as a surprise to nobody, but I don’t agree with Jurgen. As someone who has been in that locker room, and has sat next to the players — and I agree with Alexi [Lalas] — we agree with the American outlaws. We believe that we will win. That’s the way Americans think. That’s the sentiment.

“One point that I’d like to make, if we’re really expecting to go out and beat Portugal and beat Ghana, and beat Germany –who are in my opinion one of the best teams in the world—if you can beat Germany, why can’t you beat anyone else? It doesn’t mean that it is going to happen, but I believe it and I think that all of America believes it.”

Donovan admitted during his interview with ESPN’s Mike Turico that he has come to terms with his omission from the national team and stated that it was time to support the USMNT in Brazil.

“It’s not easy, but at the same time, I have a lot of teammates and friends on that team and I sit next to Omar Gonzalez every day in LA so I have a lot of contact with the guys still and I’m very excited for them,” he said. “Once I’ve been able to get past the disappointment, now I’m genuinely excited for the tournament as a soccer fan. All of our fans are excited to watch the tournament and let’s hope for great things. This can be a very special summer.”

LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane went 27 minutes in the Republic of Ireland's 5-1 defeat to Portugal at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo started the match and went 65 minutes as the United States' Group G opponents flattened the Irish through a brace from Hugo Almeida, an own goal by Irish defender Richard Keogh, Vieirinha and Fabio Coentrao.

Donovan served as an analyst for Fox Sports 1's UEFA Champions League coverage a year ago and during the broadcast, he provided a hilarious impression of english accent of German-born U.S. National Team midfielder Jermaine Jones.

CARSON, Calif. -- LA Galaxy II offers playing opportunities to players across the team's player pyramid including international newcomers like French defensive midfielder Andre Auras.

In 10 appearances for Galaxy II, the French midfielder has been one of head coach Curt Onalfo's top performers with his refined passing ability that has resulted in three assists on the season. On Sunday during the Galaxy II's 5-1 victory over the Dayton Dutch Lions, Auras was influential yet again as he helped break up plays while also helping spark several counterattacks for Los Dos as they ran roughshod over their USL PRO counterparts.

Following Sunday's victory, Onalfo offered a high compliment of Auras' play which may have given an indication of where the Frenchman's career could end up if he continues his solid play.

"He is a very, very good player. It was a little bit of a long week because he trained on the day we often have the training with the first team," said Onalfo. "I think he was sharp in the beginning of the game, but he got sharper as the game went on. His passing is good and his positioning continues to get better. He is a guy that I think can play in the MLS."

A day ago, U.S. Soccer released 23 fascinating profile videos of each of the members of the 23-man U.S. National Team squad that will be competing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

LA Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez's is perhaps one of the most interesting as he describes his love of cooking, the interesting way that he met his wife Erica and how he started his youth career in Dallas.